Human Excretory System
- The excretory system removes the waste products of metabolism from the body by filtering the blood and producing urine
- The excretory system consists of two kidneys joined to the bladder by tubes called ureters
- Another tube, the urethra, carries urine out of the body from the bladder
- Each kidney is also connected to:
- A renal artery which branches from the aorta and delivers blood to the kidney
- A renal vein which delivers blood from the kidney to the vena cava
Excretory system diagram
The excretory system contains the kidneys and bladder
Structures of the excretory system table
| Structure | Description |
| Kidney | Two bean-shaped organs that filter blood |
| Ureter | Tube connecting the kidney to the bladder |
| Bladder | Organ that stores urine produced by the kidneys |
| Urethra | Tube through which urine flows from the bladder to the exterior of the body |
Exam Tip
Note the difference between the ureter and the urethra; these two names are commonly confused by students so take care to learn which tube is which – they are NOT interchangeable!
In an exam you may be asked to label the kidneys, renal arteries, renal veins, aorta, vena cava, ureters, bladder, or urethra on a diagram.
